Bayombong: Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Nueva Vizcaya continue to value education as the key to overcoming intergenerational poverty, with many parents striving to ensure that their children are able to finish college. This was the united stand of the 4Ps parent leaders from Bayombong town which they relayed to Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the DSWD chief's meeting with them on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview over a local radio, Gatchalian said the beneficiaries in Nueva Vizcaya shared that education remains their top household priority despite economic challenges such as inflation and rising costs of living. 'Sa 4Ps kasi nakita nila yung value ng edukasyon para maiahon ang kanilang mga sarili mula sa kahirapan. So, nare-inforce yung values ng mga taga-Nueva Vizcaya na you can help yourself with education (Under 4Ps, they saw the value of education in lifting themselves out of poverty. We are reinforcing that value to the people of Nueva Vizcaya, that you can help yourself with education),' the DSWD chief said.
Gatchalian emphasized that the push for education extends beyond high school, with families aiming for at least one member to achieve a college diploma. He noted that some parent leaders in Nueva Vizcaya have shared success stories of having the first college graduate in their families, who are now contributing to household expenses.
He cited other key takeaways from the discussion, such as the importance beneficiaries place on health and their desire to sustain livelihood opportunities once they graduate from the program. 'Sabi nga nila, pag-graduate nila sa programa, sana may livelihood track kung saan natuturuan sila magkaroon ng sariling negosyo at may konting startup capital. At alam nyo, yan yung gusto ng ating Pangulo (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), yung makatayo sa sariling mga paa nila ang mga 4Ps beneficiaries (They said that once they graduate from the program, there will be a livelihood track where they will be taught how to start their own business, and to have a small startup capital. And that is what President Marcos wants),' Gatchalian told the local radio anchor.
He mentioned that President Marcos has directed the DSWD to enhance the 4Ps, especially as it enters its 17th year of implementation. With the national budget deliberations underway, Gatchalian said the timing is right to review and introduce necessary improvements to ensure that the program continues to meet its goals. Gatchalian affirmed that the government remains committed to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. 'Tandaan natin, ang goal ng ating Pangulo, by the time matapos siya sa 2028, single digit na lang ang poverty incidence at kayang-kaya natin gawin (The goal of our President is by the time his term ends in 2028, the poverty incidence will be down by single digit, which we can really do).'
Gatchalian also led the inauguration of eight completed sub-projects under the agency's Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya. A total of 3,142 households, including children going to school, are expected to benefit from the concrete community access roads that will ease travel and improve access to education, health, and livelihood opportunities.
In his message, Gatchalian underscored the importance of bringing small but vital projects to the farthest and most underserved areas. 'Alam natin na itong mga ganitong proyekto, napaka-importante sa tao. Kaya nga nautusan kami ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na puntahan yung mga pinakamalalayo, pinakamahihirap, pinakamaliliit na mga lugar para maidala natin itong ganitong klaseng mga proyekto (These kinds of projects are very important to the people. That's why we were ordered by our President to go to the farthest, poorest and smallest villages to bring these projects),' he said.
Gatchalian said that while the projects may be small in scale compared to those implemented by bigger agencies, their daily impact on the lives of residents is significant. He thanked the local government of Nueva Vizcaya and the KALAHI-CIDSS community volunteers for their dedication in ensuring the success of the sub-projects. Gatchalian also assured the residents of the DSWD's continued support, citing additional funding has already been earmarked for the coming years to further improve community facilities. The KALAHI-CIDSS is a community-driven development program of the DSWD that empowers residents to identify, prioritize, and manage projects that directly address their most pressing needs.
